Biochemistry is applied in various areas, including medicine, dentistry, industry, agriculture and food science. The discipline overlaps with many other fields of science, including pharmacology, physiology, microbiology and clinical chemistry. A multidisciplinary approach to research allows scientists to examine the mechanism of a drug action or conduct research related to organ functions. Toxicology, the study of the adverse effects of chemicals on living organisms, is closely related to biochemistry. Chemical toxicology commonly examines the toxic effects of chemical agents.